GOP gears up for road fight, health care repeals

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Capitol in Madison

GOP gears up for road fight, health care repeals

Capitol in Madison

MADISON — Republicans will have their biggest majorities in the state Senate and Assembly in decades when the legislative session begins in January. They’ll need them to tackle some pretty hefty issues.

The first thing on the agenda will be crafting the 2017-19 state budget. The biggest fight there will be how to fill a $1 billion gap in the state’s road-building fund. Gov. Scott Walker has refused to raise taxes, choosing instead to delay major projects. Assembly Republicans say that’s short-sighted.

Republican leaders, too, will have to grapple with the fallout from changes to President Barack Obama’s health care reforms. The GOP expects Donald Trump will repeal or drastically change the package.

Also on the agenda are expanding concealed carry to school grounds, eliminating the prevailing wage, and restricting early voting.